India’s link with the University of Birmingham dates back to 1909, says Chancellor Lord Karan Bilimoria

As the United Kingdom (UK) has decided to retain the Graduate Route Visa (GRV) in its current form, the focus is once again on the UK as one of the most sought-after study abroad destinations for Indian students. After announcing a scholarship worth a total of over £1m exclusively for Indian students and partnering with IIT-Madras to offer joint Masters programmes, the University of Birmingham (UoB) is ranked 84th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2024, placing it 15th among UK universities. In the latest 2024 Complete University Guide ranking, UoB is ranked 14th out of 130 institutions surveyed.

In July 2014, Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea, CBE, DL (Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Deputy Lieutenant) was installed as the seventh Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, making him the first Indian-born Chancellor of a Russell Group. University of Great Britain. During his chancellorship, the University was twice awarded the prestigious Queen’s Birthday Award.

A Cambridge law graduate and chartered accountant, he is also the founding chairman of the UK Business Council in India. In an exclusive interview, Lord Bilimoria talks about the University of Birmingham’s long association with India, the £1 million scholarship for Indian students, the link with IIT-Madras and how it helps students with job opportunities after studies.

India’s connection with the University of Birmingham dates back to the early 1900s. How many Indian students come to UoB each year?

The University of Birmingham’s (UoB) relationship with India began in 1909 with the first cohort of Indian students attending the University for degrees in mining and commerce. Over the past three years, 2,401 undergraduate and postgraduate students from India have joined UoB, with business, engineering and medicine being the most sought-after programmes.

The recent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) review report on the UK Graduate Visa Route reaffirms the continuation of this important pathway for international students, including those from India.

What are the scholarships available to Indian students?

Studying abroad, especially in the UK, can be expensive. UoB offers a variety of scholarships specifically for Indian students, with a total value of over £1 million. These scholarships aim to ease the financial burden of studying abroad and recognize the academic achievements of Indian applicants. Additionally, for Indian students interested in studying at the UoB campus in Dubai, scholarships of up to 40% are available, further improving accessibility to quality education.

What is UoB’s collaboration with IIT-Madras?

The University of Birmingham and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) have launched joint Masters programmes, making this partnership a first for any Russell Group in the UK and an IIT. Last year, a Joint Masters in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence was launched and this year we are introducing a new Joint Masters program in Sustainable Energy Systems, with applications now open. This new program aims to equip graduates with expertise in a fast-growing sector critical to tackling climate change.

Students will study in both Chennai and Birmingham, ultimately earning a single degree jointly awarded by both institutions. The course includes a significant individual project within internationally recognized research groups, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.

Have employment prospects for Indian graduates in the UK diminished?

Despite the changes and uncertainties in the UK economy, the outlook is now improving. According to data from the Department for Education Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO), the earnings of the top quartile of graduates in key fields such as calculus, economics, engineering, physics, medicine and business and management five years after graduation stand at an impressive 55,785 GBP, while average earnings stand at £43,843. These figures underline the potential of Indian graduates to secure financially lucrative positions in their chosen fields.

How does UoB help students with post-study opportunities in the UK?

The University provides comprehensive support to students seeking post-study opportunities in the UK through its dedicated careers network. This network provides graduates with access to a diverse range of career support services tailored to their individual needs. UoB organizes a program of events specially designed to inform international students about the different employment pathways in the UK; events cover topics such as job search strategies, visa regulations and networking opportunities.

In addition, UoB facilitates interactions with global employers who are interested in recruiting international students for positions in both the UK and non-UK arms of their businesses.Study Abroad: How to Prepare for the GMAT

Navigating job opportunities can be difficult. What are the best ways to navigate the road to employment?

With the continued availability of the graduate visa, Indian students have an extended window of opportunity to navigate employment prospects after studying in the UK. To make the most of this, students can actively engage in career development activities during their studies, such as internships, networking events and professional workshops, to build valuable skills and connections.

In addition, leveraging university careers services and alumni networks can provide valuable information and support in job search strategies tailored to the UK market. The University’s award-winning Careers Network team offers students one-to-one advice and support with CV creation, interview preparation workshops, online resources and employer connections. There are lots of different opportunities available for students, even Indian students, in all industries.